The Dynasty of Cultivating Immortality

C21 – Goodbye to Teng Feimei

The next day, Teng Feimei got dressed up and dashed to Teng Junlu’s room. She took his hand and pleaded with a pout, “Dad, will you take me out today? Yesterday, you were off visiting a friend. If you make me stay in and practice like yesterday, I’m going to tell Mom. You don’t love me at all anymore.”

The day before, Teng Junlu had been away from the Ni family residence when the mayor visited, missing the chance to speak with him. He was contemplating a visit today, but given the current circumstances, it seemed unlikely.

​With a resigned shake of his head, Teng Junlu replied, “We’ll head to the main hall first. We’ll discuss your outing with the Ni family patriarch before deciding.”

“Oh,” Teng Feimei responded, playfully sticking out her tongue.

​In the Ni family’s main hall, Ni Xianjian noticed Teng Junlu and Teng Feimei’s arrival and promptly instructed his staff to prepare the meal. Meanwhile, Teng Feimei was animatedly chatting and tugging at Teng Junlu’s hand, who kept shaking his head in response.

​Ni Xianjian inquired, “Junlu, what’s the matter?”

Teng Junlu gestured towards Teng Feimei and explained, “I had planned to visit the Mightcairn mayor today, but my daughter is adamant that I take her out to the streets to play.”

Ni Xianjian chuckled and offered a solution, “Why worry? It’s certainly not ideal for you to take the young lady out. How about I have some girls her age from my family accompany her instead?”

Teng Junlu’s face brightened, “That’s an excellent idea. Feimei, I do have important matters to attend to today. We’re not yet acquainted with Mightcairn. Mr. Ni and his family have lived here for years; they know all the best spots for food and fun. It would be better for you to join them.”

Teng Feimei sulked for a moment but then her expression quickly turned to delight. “Mr. Ni, is Ni Huibo coming along?”

Ni Xianjian paused, then burst into laughter, “Certainly! I’ll have Ni Huibo accompany you. He’s a boy and might not know what you girls like, so I’ll also call Ni Shang and Ni Yirong to join you.”

After dinner, Ni Xianjian summoned Ni Huibo, Ni Shang, and Ni Yirong. “Today, you’ll accompany Feimei on a walk. Look after one another and ensure there are no mishaps.”

“Yes,” the trio responded in chorus.

Ni Huibo alone was taken aback.

Was this not the young lady from the other night? Was she still with the Ni family?

Unable to resist, Ni Huibo glanced up only to catch Feimei’s gaze. She winked at him, causing Ni Huibo to quickly avert his eyes, his cheeks and ears flushing a deep red.

Teng Feimei chuckled. She seemed quite amused by Ni Huibo’s discomfort.

They ventured out from the mansion, wandering aimlessly.

The Ni sisters had spent their lives in Mightcairn. They appeared more curious about Teng Feimei and Ni Huibo than in their own amusement, peppering them with questions as they walked.

Having scarcely left the mansion in sixteen years, Ni Huibo found everything fascinating. However, being naturally reticent, he struggled to engage in conversation with the Ni girls, merely responding to their inquiries.

Teng Feimei, with the curiosity of a child, was drawn to anything novel and entertaining. Spotting a candy sculptor’s stall, she excitedly dragged Ni Shang over.

“Sir, could you craft four sugar figures in our likeness?” Teng Feimei said, promptly paying the craftsman before Ni Shang or the others could offer their coins.

The old man, never before graced by such a lovely patron, joyfully accepted and set to work on the sugar figures.

Ni Huibo had little interest in such trinkets. He scanned the surroundings, his attention captured by a nearby gathering crowd. What could be drawing such a throng?

Once the sugar figures were complete, Teng Feimei expressed her gratitude to the craftsman. Noticing Ni Huibo’s fixed stare, she followed his gaze to the crowd. Was there some spectacle drawing their attention?

Ever eager for excitement, Teng Feimei dashed towards the assembly, with Ni Huibo reluctantly trailing behind her.

“Lee Yayue?”

Ni Yirong and Ni Shang exchanged a glance, both detecting the mutual distaste for the individual in question.

Lee Yayue, the youngest daughter of the Lee family, had been coddled and indulged from a young age, resulting in her capricious nature. It was apparent she had gotten into another altercation. Regardless of whether Lee Yayue was in the right or wrong, the other party involved was undoubtedly in for a heap of trouble.

“You bumped into me. Why haven’t you apologized?” Lee Yayue demanded loudly.

The man, recognizing Lee Yayue’s status, was visibly terrified as he stammered, “Miss, I did apologize to you already. I was in a rush today and accidentally bumped into you. I truly hope you can forgive me.”

“Are you suggesting I’m deaf? You clearly haven’t apologized, and yet you have the audacity to argue here in front of everyone.” Lee Yayue, unaccustomed to being contradicted, especially publicly, felt her face flush with anger. “Teach him a lesson,” she commanded.

A burly man stepped forward from behind her, approaching the accused.

“Miss, please forgive me…” The man’s plea was cut short as the burly man delivered a kick, using only half his strength but enough to potentially break his leg.

“This is utterly unacceptable,” Teng Feimei remarked, ready to intervene, but Ni Shang quickly held her back.

“Miss Feimei, you mustn’t go. If you defend that man now, it will only infuriate Lee Yayue further. She’s only broken his leg so far. If you intervene, his life could be at risk,” Ni Shang cautioned, her eyes blazing with indignation.

“Are we to just let her continue this tyranny?”

Teng Feimei, having heard Ni Shang’s words, reluctantly contained her fury. She was only visiting Mightcairn for a few days. While she could seek justice for the man and then return to her tranquil life at home, he would no longer be safe to remain in Mightcairn.

Lee Yayue sneered at the sight of the man now unconscious from pain. As she turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of two figures in the distance.

“Aren’t those the twin sisters from the Ni family? I’ve heard you both did quite well on the Leap Test. I’m curious to see how you’ll fare in the competition among the three great families. Or perhaps you won’t even qualify to compete? It would be such a shame if you were knocked out during the Ni family’s own contest.” She glanced at the sisters’ expressions and, with a smile, continued on her way to the rouge shop with her entourage.

“Sister, why did you stop me? I wanted to give her a piece of my mind. Without the Lee family backing her, she wouldn’t stand a chance,” Ni Yirong grumbled in frustration.

“We don’t need to stoop to her level. I’ll silence her during the martial arts contest of the three great families,” Ni Shang replied, her fists clenched and eyes blazing with fury.

In that moment, Ni Huibo took note of Lee Yayue.

He wondered if perhaps he, too, should make her face some consequences.